Small steps can take you a long way

April 21, 2009
by Rodney Olsen
2 Comments

bike.jpgI headed out with Emily and James for a very short bike ride on some local bike paths on Sunday afternoon and I noticed a few things along the way.

I noticed that I wasn’t too concerned when we got to the roads that we needed to cross. I also noticed that the big hill we used to ride down wasn’t so big any more and I wasn’t worried that the kids would rocket down there and lose control. When we rode along the path that is right next to a busy road I wasn’t too worried that they’d slip into the path of an oncoming car.

The whole ride was so very enjoyable. It’s obviously happened over a period of time but I find that our rides together are a lot more about just riding together rather than me instructing them on how to ride and having to worry about everything that ‘might’ happen. My kids are growing up.

I know that there are challenges and concerns at every stage of parenting but it’s rather wonderful to see them taking on board the lessons of the past and seeing them become the people they were created to be. It’s often in the little things that we see the bigger picture unfolding.



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A sad goodbye

February 9, 2009
by Rodney Olsen
11 Comments

Less than a month ago I let you know that one of Pauline’s sisters, Carina, had been diagnosed with fairly advanced cancer.

Yesterday evening, while we were visiting her at Bethesda Hospital, Carina passed away. She was just 41. Funeral arrangements will be made in the coming days.

Please pray for Carina’s family and friends.

Over the past few weeks I have started planning a significant event to honour Carina and the many others in our community who have been touched by cancer. The event will take place in October this year and I’ll give you further details once plans are more certain.



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A sad start to 2009

January 19, 2009
by Rodney Olsen
13 Comments

Back in June 2007 I asked you to pray for my wife’s sister who had just been diagnosed with lung cancer. After treatment and a lot of prayer Carina was told in around May last year that she was clear of the cancer.

2009 hasn’t started so well with news that cancer is now affecting other areas of her body.

Please pray for Carina, for her doctors and for her family. Please pray that I can provide support for Pauline, Emily and James as we face this battle as Carina’s sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew.



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Half a Christmas

December 15, 2008
by Rodney Olsen
8 Comments

We’re half way through December and we’ve already had half a Christmas.

My side of the family won’t be able to get together on Christmas Day so we had our own Christmas lunch yesterday. We talked, we ate, we exchanged gifts. It was a great afternoon.

Splitting Christmas also means that we won’t have to dash between families on Christmas Day so we’ll be able to really enjoy the day without looking at watches wondering if it’s time to head to the next meal. And of course we won’t have to have two enormous meals on the one day.

What are your plans for the big day? A quiet one or rushing from place to place? How do you decide where you spend time on Christmas Day?

My Christmas wish is simply to be able to spend time with those I love and to be able to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Looks like wishes will come true this year.



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Sweet Sixteen

December 12, 2008
by Rodney Olsen
3 Comments

Sixteen years ago today I said, “I do.”

In January 1992 I met the most wonderful woman I’ve ever known and in December of the same year I watched her walk down the aisle and promise to love me for life.

I love Pauline more and more as each year passes.

It’s hard to believe that I could find someone so amazing; someone who was prepared to commit herself to travelling life’s roads with me no matter what the journey would bring.



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